Jewish National Fund Celebrates Most Successful National Conference Yet

November 4, 2013 -- New York, NY -- Over 500 people attended this year’s Jewish National Fund’s (JNF) National Conference, which was held in the mile-high city of Denver, Colorado, making it the most successful conference to date.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper opened the conference with his keynote address on the innovative work shared by Colorado and Israel. Other keynote speakers at the conference included Ken Salazar, Former Secretary of U.S. Department of the Interior; Amir Peretz, Israel’s Minister of Environmental Protection; and Mark Brewer, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Central Florida.

The crowd, which included participants of all ages from teens and college students, to young change agents and established leaders, and many more, absorbed this year’s key takeaway at the conference: JNF’s ability to engage all generations in the work that it does for the land of Israel and its people.

“This year’s conference was our best yet, inspiring all of our attendees by showcasing JNF’s mission and the amazing work that we do,” said JNF CEO Russell Robinson. “From hearing the remarkable keynote addresses of top global leaders, to learning about engaging our next generations, to the announcement of our $1 billion dollar campaign, I couldn’t ask for a better weekend of passion and inspiration.”

Other highlights included the installation of JNF’s new National President Jeffrey E. Levine, who also announced the $1 billion dollar campaign for the next decade. JNF’s annual gala on Sunday night featured a performance by Israeli Idol winner Hagit Yaso, and a memorable speech by Stephen Muss, founder of Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI). Muss announced a new expanded partnership between AMHSI and Jewish National Fund and presented JNF with a $5 million dollar check.

"It was absolutely fantastic,” shared National Conference co-chair Geri Shatz. “Everyone came away feeling energized, well-informed, and interested. The response was tremendous. The conference reaffirmed each and everyone’s commitment to our voice in Israel.”

For more highlights from this year’s conference and to register for the 2014 National Conference in Los Angeles, visit jnf.org/nc.

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JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (JNF) began in 1901 as a dream and vision to reestablish a homeland in Israel for Jewish people everywhere. Jews the world over collected coins in iconic JNF Blue Boxes, purchasing land and planting trees until ultimately, their dream of a Jewish homeland was a reality. JNF gives all generations of Jews a unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people.

JNF embodies both heart and action; our work is varied in scope but singular in benefit. We strive to bring an enhanced quality of life to all of Israel’s residents, and translate these advancements to the world beyond. JNF is greening the desert with millions of trees, building thousands of parks, creating new communities and cities for generations of Israelis to call home, bolstering Israel’s water supply, helping develop innovative arid-agriculture techniques, and educating both young and old about the founding and importance of Israel and Zionism.

JNF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and United Nations NGO, which continuously earns top ratings from charity overseers.

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